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=================================================================
== ==
== I n s t r u c t i o n s 'F e n s t e r 3' ==
== ==
=================================================================
== ==
== 'Fenster 3' is SHAREWARE ! If you want to get the full ==
== version and the manual (16 pages), send me US$ 20 (US $15 ==
== or DM 22 if you live in Europe [lower postage]). Please add ==
== US$ 2 or DM 3 if you use an check (sorry, bank charge). ==
== ==
== Roger Fischlin, Steigerwaldweg 6, D-6450 Hanau 7, Germany ==
== ==
== Phone : (06181) 650266 ==
== ==
=================================================================
== ==
== INPORTANT : The demo version handles only one screen. The ==
== other ones will be ignored ! ==
== ==
=================================================================
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Introduction
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1 About 'Fenster 3'
'Fenster 3' supports the Intuition environment. It offers tools for
users (e.g. hardcopy) and for programmers (e.g. saving a brush taken
from the 'DPaint' screen as raw data).
{...}
1.4 Facts About 'Fenster 3'
'Fenster 3' was written by Roger Fischlin from November 1990 until
August 1991 on an Amiga 2000. The 'DevPac' Assembler and the OS 2.0
include files (taken from the 'SAS-C' Compiler) were used to assemble
the 500.000 bytes of the source code. The manual was created using
'WordPerfect'.
{...}
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2 How to use 'Fenster 3'
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1 How To Run 'Fenster 3'
Just double-click the icon or enter 'Fenster3' as a CLI command. If
you type 'run >NIL: Fenster3' you can close the CLI using 'endcli'.
'Fenster 3' will open a small window on the Workbench. If you click
the window, the program will open the screen.
2.2 Using 'Fenster 3'
You can use the mouse or the keyboard to control 'Fenster 3'.
Shortcuts are displayed in same way as the 'gadtools.library' V37
(Kickstart 2.0) does it (e.g. 'OK'). In every case you can cancel a
requester by pressing [ESC]. Generally speaking to give a positive
response to a requester you may also use [left AMIGA] + [V], to give a
negative response press [left AMIGA] + [B].
'Fenster 3' uses cycle gadgets. To get the next item just click it and
to get the previous one press [SHIFT], too.
'Fenster 3' keeps screens, windows and requests on different levels:
1.st level : screens
2.nd level : windows
3.rd level : request
You will start at the first level. Use the cursor keys to change the
current entry (to move to the first or last entry press [SHIFT], too).
'Fenster 3' offers also a proportional gadget and two arrow gadgets.
If you want to get to the lower level of the current entry, press
[RETURN] or [ENTER]. The program will create a special entry to get
back to the upper level.
Click the update gadget or press [U] to update the list. But don't
worry 'Fenster 3' always checks if the selected item still exists.
If you have the new OS 2.0 there will be a fourth list which contains
all public screens. A public screen will also appear under the screen
title (which need not to be identical to its public name) at the
screen list. So if the public name is needed (e.g. to take this public
screen as default public screen) you must be at the public screen
list. Commands which require the screen pointer e.g. to open a colour
requester) can be executed from both lists.
click 'Leave' or press [Q] to return to the small window on the
Workbench screen. Select 'About' to get information about the author
and the program (version, copyright etc.).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Menus
--------------------------------------------------------------------
3.1 Settings
You may select your own settings for 'Fenster 3'. It supports all
known libraries and the settings also include the screen type and
mode.
You can choose between 'Custom' and 'Public' as 'Screen Type'. For a
public screen at least Kickstart 2.0 is needed. The screen mode
includes 'Interlace' and 'Overscan' (only Kickstart 2.0 or higher).
'Refresh Mode' determines which refresh mode should be used for the
window. 'SMART' is very fast but takes up to 30 KB of chip memory. On
the other hand 'SIMPLE' is slower but does not need any extra memory.
'File Requester', 'Color Requester' and 'Font Requester' determine
which libraries should be used by 'Fenster 3'. The 'asl.library'
requires Kickstart 2.0 and 'No Library' means that 'Fenster 3' offers
you just a string gadget.
'Input Handler Pri.' is the priority of the input handler used by 'Set
Range'. It must be higher than 50 (e.g. 51) to avoid conflicts with
Intuition. Increase it, if you have troubles with a mouse accelerator.
'SNAP Mouse Pointer' determines if you want to have a cross instead of
the default pointer when snapping.
Click 'OK' to use the new settings (screen settings will be used when
the screen will be opened the next time). They also include the screen
colours (use 'Palette' to edit them). To get the default colours
select 'Old Colors'. 'Save' uses the settings and writes them to
's:Fenster3.pref'. So they will be automatically used the next time
you run 'Fenster 3'.
3.2 NewShell
The 'NewShell' command (Workbench 1.3 or higher) is executed.
3.3 About System
Some fields of the 'intuition.library' and the 'graphics.library' are
displayed and may be modified. But if you use Kickstart 2.0 most of
these fields have lost their importance.
'Version' and 'Revision' describe the release of the library (not the
Workbench release !).'IDString' is an additional text.
All fields of the IntuitionBase are private (these fields are gone if
you use Kickstart 2.0) and the 'Amiga Development Guidelines' do not
allow to modify them. But if you use Kickstart 1.2 / 1.3 you may find
it useful in some special cases.
The 'Mouse' fields describe the maximum and minimum coordinates of the
mouse pointer for all screens (including hires and interlaced
screens). 'MaxDisplayHeight' contains the maximum height of an
interlaced screen and 'MaxDisplayRow' is the highest line number of an
interlaced screen ('MaxDisplayHeight'-1). 'MaxDisplayRow' describes
the maximum width of a hires screen.
If you use Kickstart 2.0, the 'DataBase' replaced many of the fields
of the 'graphics.library'. 'DisplayFlags' contains information about
the display ('PAL' / 'NTSC') or if you use a genlock. 'MaxDisplayRow',
'MinDisplayColumn' and 'MaxDisplayColumn' are the minimum and maximum
dimensions which the hardware can display. 'NormalDisplayRows' and
'NormalDisplayColumns' describe the default size of a hires screen.
'NormalDPMX' and 'NormalDPMY' contain the dots per meter of an non-
interlaced lores screen. 'ChipRevBits0' exists if you use OS 2.0 and
offers information about the custom chips you use (e.g. ECS-Agnus and
ECS-Denise).
Select 'OK' to quit the requester or 'Change' if you want to use the
modified values.
3.4 Preferences
You can use 'Fenster 3' to modify some of the fields of 'Preferences'.
Select 'Font' to choose between 'Topaz-80' and 'Topaz-60' or
'Workbench' to choose between 'Interlaced' and 'Non-interlaced'.
To move the screen position on your display use the proportional
gadget in the middle of the requester. You may also press the cursor
keys with or without [SHIFT].
On the left side there are two gadgets to increase the default size of
a screen. These fields cannot be modified using 'Preferences' but
'MoreRows' (Public Domain, Fish #54) takes advantage of this feature.
The width and height may be increased up to 255 pixels. To use the new
dimension save the Preferences as 'DEVS:system-configuration' and then
boot from that device.
On the right side there are gadgets for the dimension of the
Workbench. These are offically documented but the Amiga does not care
about them...
Select 'Default' to get a copy of the default settings and 'OK' to use
the Preferences. If you change 'Font' or 'Workench' 'Fenster 3' tries
to reset the Workbench screen which will fail if there is any non-
Workbench window. If you want to save the settings click 'Save'. The
settings are written to the file (a file requester will appear if the
string gadget is disabled) but they are not used as current
Preferences. Write the data to 'DEVS:system-configuration' to use them
if you boot from that device.
3.5 View Database (requires OS 2.0)
Kickstart 2.0 has new way of storing information about display modes
(DisplayIDs) and screen dimensions. Select a DisplayID from the list
on the left and 'Fenster 3' will show you information about the
display modes's properties ('DisplayInfo') its dimensions
('DimensionInfo') and its monitor specification ('MonitorInfo'):
NotAvailable : This word describes why the display mode is not
available (e.g. ECS is missing). If it is zero the
mode can be used.
Resolution : ticks-per-pixel x/y
PixelSpeed : How many nanoseconds is a pixel been displayed.
NumStdSprites : number of hardware sprites
SpritesRes. : sprite ticks-per-pixel x/y
MaxDepth : maximum number of bitplanes
Monitor Comp. : how this coexists with others
MinRaster : minimum dimension
MaxRaster : maximum dimension
Nominal : position and size of a standard screen
MaxOverscan : position and size of a screen (maximum overscan)
VideoOverscan : position and size of a screen (video overscan)
TextOverscan : position and size of a screen (text overscan)
StdOverscan : position and size of a screen (standard overscan)
Position and size are stored in a 'rectangle' structure. This contains
the minimum and maximum coordinates of the display. To get the width
you have to subtract the minimum value from the maximum value and add
one. For example, '-36/-15/325/267' means that the screen's width is
362 [ 325-(-36)+1 = 362 ] and the height is 283 [ 267-(-15)+1 = 283 ].
You may select a new ID or click 'OK' to exit.
3.6 Reset WB Screen
'Fenster 3' will close and then open the Workbench screen again. So
the interlace mode is turned on/off and under OS 1.2 and 1.3 the
(patched) fields of 'IntuitionBase' are used. There must not be any
window which does not belong to the Workbench (e.g. a CLI window). You
may alo use this command to open the Workbench.
3.7 Show Title Bar
If a BACKDOP window hides the screen title bar, use this command to
put the bar in front of the window. Non-BACKDROP windows will still be
in front of the screen title.
3.8 Hide Title Bar
The screen title bar will be displayed behind BACKDROP windows on that
screen.
3.9 Set Default PubScreen (requires OS 2.0)
The selected public screen will be the new default public screen.
3.10 PubScreen Mode (requires OS 2.0)
Currently there are two public screen modes : 'SHANGHAI' and
'POPPUBSCREEN'.
'SHANGHAI' means that all windows which should be opened on the
Workbench will appear on the default public screen. This modes was
created for programs which do not handle public screens.
'POPPUBSCREEN' will pop any public screen to the front if a visitor
window appears on that screen.
3.11 Open Public Screen (requires OS 2.0)
To open a public screen you need an unique name. Enter that name into
the string gadget and select the displayID for the screen. Choose the
dimension and the number of bitplanes (called 'depth'). To get the
standard width or height just click the gadget on the right side. A
sign will show if you have entered the standard width or height. Use
the cycle gadget to select the overscan mode and the last two gadgets
to describe the font. If you do not specify a font the default font
will be used. 'Fenster 3' takes care that all values will match the
limits and if it cannot open the screen you will get the reason why it
failed.
3.12 Set Mouse Queue (requires OS 2.0)
This command changes the number of mouse message that the
'intuition.library' will allow to be outstanding of the selected
window. To get the default number (5), just click 'Default'.
3.13 Gadtools IDCMP (requires OS 2.0)
The 'gadtools.library' has its own IDCMP flags which are combinations
of the standard IDCMP flags. This command uses the names of the
'gadtools.library' instead of those combinations. The window must
already have an user port and at least one IDCMP flag must still be
set when clicking 'OK'.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Gadgets
--------------------------------------------------------------------
4.1 Palette
'Fenster 3' will open a colour requester on the screen using the
specified library ('color.library' or 'req.library'). The screen will
be moved to the top left edge and brought to the front of your
display.
4.2 Screen Mode
Under Kickstart 1.2 and 1.3 the display mode of a screen and its depth
can be modified after it has been opened. If you use the new Operation
System 2.0, you cannot change it anymore.
'Mode' contains the new screen view mode and 'Depth' the new number of
bitplanes. 'SPRITES' describes that Intuition uses sprites in the
screen's viewport. 'GENLOCK VIDEO' determines if the background is
replaced by an external video source. If 'DUALPF' is set, the viewport
to which the screen belongs has two playfields and uses the
dualplayfield mode. For example, 'WBPic' (written by Fridtjof Siebert,
public domain, Fish #234) uses that mode which Kickstart 1.2/1.3
doesn't really support. 'PFBA' changes the priority of the playfield
in the dualplayfield mode.
Click 'OK' to use the new mode and depth. 'Fenster 3' checks if you
use six bitplanes for HAM or EHB and not more than four bitplanes for
a hires screen.
4.3 Redraw Gadgets
The gadgets of a window or requester are redrawn. Under OS 2.0 this
also includes the gadgets of the 'gadtools.library'.
4.4 Close
An unused screen, window or requests stays at the display if a program
crashes or just forgets to close it. You may also use this command to
close a public screen which is not needed anymore.
Just select the item and click the 'Close' gadget.'Fenster 3' will ask
you if you are really sure before it closes the item. Do not close the
Workbench or the Amiga will crash !
If you try to close a public screen from the screen list, it will be
closed without regarding any locks or visitor windows on that screen !
It might be useful if the program which holds the lock crashed and
will not use it anymore. On the other hand if you close a public
screen from the public screen list, 'Fenster 3' will regard all locks
and visitor windows.
Be careful, 'Close' can easily cause a system crash !
4.5 Info
Each item (public screen, screen, window and request) has a structure
which contains interesting fields. Some fields only exists under
Kickstart 2.0 (e.g. 'DisplayID', 'MonitorID', 'ReqImage' or
'MoreFlags').
4.6 Save
This command can be used to save a screen or window. The requester
contains following gadgets :
File Name : Enter the file name. If you have selected a file
requester this gadget is disabled.
Format : This gadget describes the format of the file.
'IFF/ILBM' is the standard exchange format used by
'DPaint'. 'IFF/ILBM comp.' is the same format
except that the data bytes are compressed. The
file gets shorter but it takes longer to display
the picture.
'IFF/ACBM' is a special format only used by some
'AmigaBasic' programs on the extra disk supplied
with the Workbench set.
'Raw' means that only the data are written to the
file. The format 'Raw & Colortable' also contains
the colortable. 'Colortable & Raw' means that the
colortable is written in front of the raw data.
These three formats are useful for programmers who
want to include the data to their programs.
Boundary : For the Amiga Operation System and for 'IFF' all
lines must be padded out to a 'Word (16 pixels)'
boundary. Old and baldy done 'IFF' reader
sometimes need a 'Byte (8 pixels)' boundary.
Picture : You may save the 'Whole Range' or just a 'Range'.
In that case enter the size into the string
gadgets on the right side.
Delay : The gadget contains the delay before 'Fenster 3'
starts to save the picture. That might be useful
if you want to save the menu layout and have to
press the right mouse button. An empty gadget
means 0 seconds.
Bitmap : If that gadget is selected 'Fenster 3' will copy
the bitmap to its buffer. For example, you can
release the the right mouse button when the
program saves the copy of the menu layout. If you
save a window, 'Fenster 3' always uses a copy.
Colors : The gadget contains the number of entries of the
colortable. Other formats ignore this value.
If you want to save a range you have to enter its position ('x' and
'y') and size ('w'idth and 'h'eight). If 'w' or 'h' are lower than 1
they get a special meaning. Then they describe the coordinates of the
right bottom edge relative to the screen/window size. Some examples :
20/20/50/50 : A range (50x50) starting at 20/20 is written.
0/0/0/0 : The whole screen/window is saved.
10/0/-10/0 : The whole range except a 10 pixel width border on
the left and right side is written to the file.
0/0/50/-10 : A 50 pixel width stripe starting at the top up to
10 pixel from the bottom is saved.
Sometimes it will not be easy to get the right coordinates so
'Fenster 3' also offers a 'SNAP' command. Click 'Set Range' and the
screen or window will be brought to the front. But BACKDROP windows
might still be behind other windows. Use the left mouse button to set
the other edge and the right mouse button to exit. Instead of the
mouse buttons you may press the [ALT] keys, too. The mouse pointer can
also be moved using the cursor keys and [right AMIGA]. If you press
[ESC] the old coordinates will remain. Select 'Save' to save the
picture or 'Cancel' to exit the requester.
4.7 Move
Screens and window can be moved, you may also change the size of the
window.
To move a screen just enter the new coordinates or select 'Top Left'
to move the screen to 0/0. If you use Kickstart 1.2/1.3 screens cannot
be moved to the left or right side.
If you have selected a window, the requester contains gadgets for the
size and limits, too. 'Fenster 3' will check if your input matches the
screen size. To get the maximum limits (screen size) just enter '-1'.
All values will be reseted if you click 'Undo'. If you select 'OK' it
might take a little time (it seems that the system has crashed) until
the new values are used. User of Kickstart 2.0 or higher may click
'Zip Window' which is identical to the ZOOM gadget of a window and
toggles between two sizes.
4.8 Print
'Fenster 3' may be used to get a hardcopy of a screen, a window or a
request. Nearly all settings of 'Preferences' can be modified :
Aspect : This value describes how the picture should be
printed ('Horizontal' or 'Vertical').
Image : Select either 'Positive' or 'Negative' image.
'Negative' means that the image is inverted
before it is printed. So bright areas become dark
and dark areas become bright. 'Image' is ignored
for coloured hardcopy.
Shade : Select the type of hardcopy : 'Black & White',
'Gray Scale I', 'Gray Scale II' or 'Color'.
'Gray Scale II' should be used by A2024 users
(this monitor displays four gray shades).
Density : Select the graphic print density. Not all printer
drivers support up to eight densities. One is the
default value.
Dithering : This gadget determines how the printer driver
should generate different colours shades.
'Ordered' used ordered patterns, 'Halftone' uses
halftones and 'Floyd-Steinberg' uses the 'F-S'
method.
Correct : If a gadget ('Red', 'Green' or 'Blue') is
selected, the printer driver tries to adjust the
printer colours to the display colours.
Threshold : This value determines the threshold for a
'Black & While' hardcopy.
Background : If this gadget is activated 'Fenster 3' changes
the background colour to white. It means that the
background is not printed ('Image' must be
positive).
Size : The cycle gadget contains the measure used for the
gadgets on the right side. You can choose between
'mm x mm' (millimeter), 'Columns x Rows' (in
printer pixels), 'Percent x Percent' (relative to
the paper size) and 'm.Inch x m.Inch' (1/1000
inch).
Center : Turn horizontal centering on or off.
Keep Aspect : The size may be modified to keep the correct
aspect.
No Form Feed : This gadget enables the mixing of text and
graphics or multiple graphic dumps on page
oriented prints (e.g. laser jet printers). If the
gadget is selected, the paper will not be ejected
after the graphics dump.
Anti Alias : Select smoothing of diagonal lines on or off. That
mode mutally exclusives with 'Floyd-Steinberg'
dithering.
Picture : You may print just a 'Range' or the 'Whole Range'.
If only a range should be printed, enter the
coordinates on the right side.
Delay : Delay in seconds before 'Fenster 3' prints the
picture. An empty gadget means 0 seconds.
Bitmap : If you select this gadget, the screen bitmap is
copied to a buffer and then that copy is sent to
the printer. 'Fenster 3' always uses a copy of a
window or request.
'Print' and 'Save' use the same snap routine ('Set Range'). Click the
'Print' gadget to get a hardcopy or select 'Cancel' to exit. If an
error occurs, the Operation System might take a litte time before the
error is displayed.
4.9 To Front
The command brings the selected screen to the front of the display or
puts the window (if is not a BACKDROP window) to the front. Requests
cannot be moved.
4.10 To Back
The command sends the selected screen to the back of the display or
puts the window behind the other windows on the screen. Requests
cannot be moved.
4.11 Font
Use 'Font' to change the font of a screen or window. It causes no
trouble to replace a font by another font of the same size. If you
want to get a disk based font (currently any font execept
'Topaz-60' and 'Topaz-80'), the 'diskfont.library' must be available.
Some font requesters allow the set the style, too.
4.12 Redraw Frame
The window frame is refreshed.
4.13 Std Pointer
Click 'Std Pointer' to use the default mouse pointer for the selected
window. So you can replace the window's mouse pointer by the standard
pointer.
4.14 IDCMP ('Intuition Direct Communication Message Port')
The IDCMP flags tell Intuition which actions should generate a message
for the window's user port. These flags can be modified later (e.g.
you have forgotten one), if at least one flag has already been set.
You will find the OS 2.0 IDCMP flags 'IDCMPUPDATE', 'MENUHELP' and
'CHANGEWINDOW', too. At least one flag has to be set if you click 'OK'
because a different task must not close a window's user port.